Hydraulic quadding and centering mechanism for typographical casting machines



April 10, 1962 w. B. ABBOTT HYDRAULIC QUADDING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1959 INVENTOR. WILLIAM B. ABBOTT 7- V ATTOR EYS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. WILLIAM B. ABBOTT W. B. ABBOTT HYDRAULIC QUADDING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES Y 3% m ww ATTQRfifYS April 10, 1962 Filed July 51, 1959 NI llil fii -HHH. L QM April 10, 1962 w. B. ABBOTT 3,028,948

. HYDRAULIC QUADDING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS A il 10, 1962 w B. ABBOTT 3,028,948

HYDRAULIC QUADDI NG AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES Filed July 51, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ENTOR. WILLIAM 'B. Aaaorr April 10, 1962 w. B. ABBOTT 3,028,948

HYDRAULIC QUADDING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES Filed July 51, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 mvmroz. WILLIAM BABBOTT 2 7 ,v z; I l

ATTORNE Y5 April 10, 1962 w. B. ABBOTT 3,028,948

HYDRAULIC QUADDING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES Filed July 31, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 WILLIAM B. Aasorr A TTOR NE Y5 A il 10, 1962 w. B. ABBOTT I 3,028,948

HYDRAULIC QUADDING AND CENTERING MECHANISM FOR TYPOGRAPHICAL CASTING MACHINES Filed July 51, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 A i hp HM ,1||. ilu H1 n I I wnlllim ""W NNA -WWW HHWWW' WI 4/ W2 EH 54 52; ii n 3- {El j: u

H 1, 1 5 55 56 E 042 Jaq'd 57 i ALF (/42) q E :35 FRI (/22) H 501- A: W

1/4 I .INVENTOR.

WILLIAM B. A5501? ATTORNEYS U St" ire res This invention relates to hydraulic quadding and centering mechanism for typographical line casting machines such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2,806,585 to W. B. Abbott et al., and more particularly to improved means for conditioning such mechanism for any desired quadding operation.

As is well known, quadding and centering mechanisms serve to control the relative movement of the line clamping vise jaws after a composed line has been interposed therebetween but before the casting operation has taken place, the purpose being to perform one of the following functions: quad with the right-hand jaw (quad the line left), quad with the left-hand jaw (quad the line right), quad with both jaws (center the line), or quad with neither jaw (full line or regular operation). In the hydraulic quadding and centering mechanism which is atent the subject of the above mentioned U.S. patent, a piston and cylinder device is provided for each vise jaw, and by admitting hydraulic fluid under pressure into one, the other, or both of these devices, or by turning the fluid away therefrom, any desired one of the above mentioned quadding functions may be effected. In order to control the flow of fluid to the piston and cylinder devices, conditioning means in the form of a valve capable of selecting any one of a number of paths of fluid travel is provided, which valve may be made to assume its various selecting positions in response to manual actuation of mechanical connections thereto, as in the aforementioned U.S. Patent 2,806,585, or in response to electrical actuation of the connections by means of push buttons or a coded tape (see U.S. Patent 2,806,587 to W.B. Abbott, et al.).

Although the rotary type selector valve of the above mentioned U.S. patents has operated more or less satisfactorily, several problems have arisen in connection with its utilization. The most important of these problems has arisen due to the fact that when the rotary valve is positioned for regular or full line operation of the machine (no quadding), it completes a passageway for bypassing the fluid, which is always moving under the infiuence of a continuously operated pump, back to the fluid reservoir. However, the by-pass is not fully effective and eventually the moving fluid reaches the piston and cylinder devices, tending to build up pressure in the cylinders, thereby causing the vise jaws to creep toward each other. Such movement of the jaws obviously prevents expansion to full line length of the composed line of matrices and spacebands disposed therebetween, resulting in the casting of improperly short lines. Other problems which have arisen include the difficulty in setting the components of the rotary selector valve in proper alignment, and the tendency of the rotary valve to leak.

It is the object of the present invention to alleviate these and other difliculties, and toward this end the present invention discloses a selector valve mechanism for an hydraulic quadding and centering mechanism which prevents the above mentioned creep of the vise jaws by positively blocking the flow of fluid to the piston and cylinder devices during regular operation of the machine. Furthermore, the present valve is not subject to leaking, and is simpler and less expensive to fabricate than the rotary selector valve.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial end elevation of a Linotype machine equipped with the present improvements;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the vise frame of the machine showing the manner in which the quadding and centering attachment is applied thereto;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

:FIG. 4 is a horizontal view taken on line 44 of FIG. 1;

FIGS- 5, f6, 7 and 8 are side elevational views of the present selector valve and valve operating mechanism, showing the positions assumed during regular, quad right, quad left, and centering operations respectively;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the selec tor valve of the present invention taken on line 11-11 of FIG. -5;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view, partly diagrammatic, of the hydraulic system of the present quadding and centering mechanism;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view, with parts broken away, showing the construction of the push button box which may be used to control the present selector valve; and

FIG. 14 is a straight line Wiring diagram of the circuits employed in the present invention.

In the regular operation of themachine, the character bearing matrices and expansible spacebands are composed in line and ultimately delivered to a vertically movable transporter or first elevator (not shown) which dejaws, the movement of the justification bar being con-' trolled by the vertically slidable support rods 23 and 24. 7 After the slug has been cast, the line is raised bythe first elevator to an upper transfer level, and the line removed therefrom preparatory to the separation of the matrices and spacebands and their return to individual storage magazines. The first elevator then is lowered to its intermediate level or line receiving position just before the machine cycle is completed.

Although the line clamping jaws 20 and 21 remain stationary during the regular or justified line casting operation, the jaws are operable to cooperate with lines of less than full length so as to cast slugs with blank spaces at either end, as for quadding, or at both ends for centering. In quadding with the left-hand jaw 20, the righthand jaw 21 remains stationary; in quadding with the right-hand jaw, the left-hand jaw remains stationary; and

in quadding with both jaws or centering," the two jaws move equidistantly toward each other.

These various movements of the jaws, which are as usual rigidly attached to horizontally slidable jaw blocks 2 3a and 21a respectively, are efiected under controlled hydraulic pressure by means of two horizontally disposed double acting pistons 25 and 26 (see FIGS. 2 and 12), the piston 25 being arranged in line with and operativ'ely connected to the left-hand jaw block 20a, and the piston 26 being arranged in line with and operatively connected to the right-hand jaw block 21m The pistons 25 and 26 are adapted to travel within parallel side-by-side cylinders 29 and 30 in the housing 28. The piston 25 is attached to the left end of a piston rod 25a, and the piston 26 to the left end of a piston rod 26a, the piston rod 25a traveling in a rightward direction to close the left-hand jaw 20, and the piston rod 26a traveling in a leftward direction to close the right-hand jaw 21. Each of the cylinders 29 and 39 is provided with an inlet port 29a and Sila leading to the closing side of the piston, i.e. the side of each piston to which pressure is applied to movethe respective jaw toward the other. Outlet ports 2% and 39b, leading to the opening side of the piston, are provided to take off the fluid pushed out of the respective cylinders by the pistons as the jaws are moved to quadding position, and to permit fluid to enter the cylinders and return the jaws to normal position after the casting operation has been completed. Drainage ports 29c and 300 are located between sealing bushings 37 to dispose of any fluid seeping past the bushings. A toothed rack 31 forms a connection between the piston rod 25a and the left-hand jaw block 20a (a screw rod is disposed between the rack and the block, but forms no part of the present invention), and a second toothed rack 32 forms a direct connection between the piston rod 26a and the right-hand jaw block 21a. The teeth of the racks 31 and 32 face each other and mesh at opposite sides with a small horizontal pinion 33.

The pinion 33 is attached to a vertical shaft 34 which extends between upper and lower bearing arms 35a of a horizontal yoke 35 fixed to the machine frame. The shaft 34 is axially movable in the bearing arms to adjust the pinion 33 to two different positions or levels, namely, a lower position for centering operations and an upper position for regular and quadding" operations. The teeth of the second rack 32 are wide enough to remain always in mesh with the pinion, whereas the teeth of the rack 31 are narrower so that the pinion will mesh with the rack only in the lower position of the pinion (corresponding to the centering position). In other words, the vise jaws 20 and 21 are operatively connected through the racks 31 and 32 and the pinion 33 only for centering operations, and for all other operations, the pinion is out of engagement with the rack 31.

The quadding and centering operations are effected by permitting the flow of hydraulic fluid to either or both of the cylinders 29 and 30. As clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, the hydraulic fluid is stored in a tank or reservoir 36 located near the base of the machine and suspended below a housing 39 from a bracket 40 bolted to the frame of the machine, and the hydraulic fluid is circulated through the system by means of a continuously operated rotary gear pump 41 (not shown in FIG. 1).

The cycle of operation of the hydraulic system is controlled from the main cam shaft 42- of the machine by a complex slide-type valve contained within the housing 39. As shown in FIG. 1, a more or less centrally pivoted lever 43 is provided with a cam follower roller 43a which is maintained in contact with the contour of a special cam 44 on the mainshaft 42 by a tension spring 45 acting on the lower end of the lever. The lower end of the lever 43 is connected to a valve rod 39a by a link 46 pivotal at both ends.

The slide valve unit comprises the cam actuated rod 39a operable within an upper cylindrical valve chamber 3%, a lower horizontal pressure chamber 39c connected to the valve chamber 3% by ports 39d and 39e at both ends of the chamber 390, conduits 49, 50, S1 and 52 leading into the valve chamber 3% at spaced intervals, and three cylindrical slide valve heads 397, 39g and 39L located within the cylinder 3% and spaced along a connecting rod 391'. There are two connections between the valve cylinder 39b and the reservoir 36. One is by way of the pressure chamber 390 through a spring-closed relief type valve 53; the other is directly through a vertical passage 54 (normally closed by the valve head 39L) and a springclosed relief type valve 55. It may here be pointed out that the pressure required to open the valve 53 is much greater than that required to open the valve 55. Also, an

open passage 56 connects the conduit line 50 (an exhaust line) directly with the reservoir 36.

As thus far described, the apparatus is substantially as shown in US. Patent No. 2,806,585, and therefore forms no part of the present invention. The selector valve 59 of the present invention does, however, form part of the hydraulic system just described, which system includes the reservoir 36, the pump 41, the slide valve unit in the housing 39, and the piston and cylinder devices in the housing 23.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, the selector valve 59 is disposed between the housing 39 and the housing 28, and serves to establish hydraulic passageways from the slide valve, which is supplied with fluid under pressure by the pump 41, to either or both of the cylinders 29 and 30 for quadding and centering operations, or serves to block the passage of fluid from the slide valve to the cylinders 29 and 36 during regular machine operation.

The selector valve 59, whose construction may be seen in FIG. 11, comprises, generally, a valve body 60, having two vertical, parallel bores 60a located therein, and a pair of identical plungers 61 and 62 arranged one in each of the bores 60a, the plunger 61 being allocated to one of the vise jaws, say the left-hand vise jaw 20, and the plunger 62 being allocated to the other or right-hand vise jaw 21. Since the present selector valve 59 is a duplex valve symmetrically arranged about a vertical line drawn through the center of FIG. 11, only one half of the valve will be described in detail; however, it will be apparent that the description applies as well to the half not specifically described. The bore 60a comprises an enlarged upper section and a reduced lower section, resulting in the formation of a shoulder 58 at the intermediate point in the bore where the two sections meet. The bore 60a is made fluid tight by means of a cap 65', threaded into the bottom of the valve body 60, and'a threaded plug 66 and ring 'seal 69 located in the top of the valve body, both cap and plug being concentric with the bore 60a. The plug 66 is provided with an axial hole to accommodate the plunger 61 which is slidable vertically therein.

A spacer 63, having a cylindrical center bore 63a, is disposed between two flexible ring seals 67, each of which seals is itself confined between the spacer nad a plate 68. The lower plate 68 rests upon the shoulder 58 in the bore 69a, and the spacer 63, ring seals 67, and plates 68 are maintained in the position shown in FIG. 11 by a compression spring 64, disposed between the upper plate 68 and the ring seal 69. A portion of the outer surface of the spacer 63 is undercut forming an annular groove 63b about the spacer between its ends, and four apertures 7 6, located in the side walls of the spacer 63, connect the center bore 63a to the annular groove 63b.

The valve body 60 is provided with an inlet port 71, connected, by a passageway 72, to the lower reduced section of the bore 60a, below the spacer 63, and an exhaust port 73, connected, by a passageway 74, to the upper enlarged section of the bore 69a, above the spacer. The valve body is also provided with two outlet ports '75 and 76, one of which is located in each of the bores 60a at the level of the annular groove 63b in the spacer 63, and a drainage port 79, concentric with the exhaust port 73, is disposed on the side of the valve body opposite the exhaust port (see FIG. 12).

The plunger 61, disposed within the bore 60a coaxially therewith, is formed with two spaced enlarged sections 61a and 61b having a reduced section therebetween. The diameters of the two enlarged sections are equal to each other and slightly smaller than the diameter of the center bore 631: in the spacer 63, through which the plunger passes. Since, however, the ring seals 67 bulge inwardly (whereby their internal diameters become smaller than the diameters of the enlarged sections 610 and 61b) a tight seal is effected when either of the enlarged sections engages its respective ring seal 67. Notice, therefore, that when the plunger is disposed in its normal position, as shown in FIG. 11, with the section 61b located within the lower ring seal 67, there is no open fiuid passageway between the inlet port 71 in the valve body and the outlet port 75, but there is an open passageway from the outlet port 75 to the exhaust port 73. When the plunger 61 is moved downwardly, however, into quadding position, wherein the lower portion or" the enlarged section 61:: enters the upper ring seal 67 and the section 61b exits from the lower ring seal, an open fluid passageway is established between the inlet port 71 and the quadding port 75 by way of the passageway 72, the center bore 6311, the apertures. 70-, and the annulus 6311. At the same time, the passageway between the outlet port 75 and the exhaust port 73 is blocked by the section 61a. The passageway between the drainage port 79 and the exhaust port 73 remains open at all times and is unaffected by the plunger movement. It should be remembered, as was mentioned before, that the above description of valve parts and valve action, and the description immediately following, applies to the plunger 62 and its bore 60:: as well as to the plunger 61, except that the fluid passageways established in the case of. the plunger 62 connect the outlet port 76-, rather than the outlet port 75, to the inlet port 71 and exhaust port 73.

The plunger 61 is maintained in its normal position (shown in FIG. 11) by a compression spring 80 which surrounds a stabilizing pin 81 depending from the lower enlarged section 6112 of the plunger. The lower end of the spring 80 bears against the bottom cap 65, and the upper end bears against a plate 82 which is held in contiguous relation with the section 611;. Notice, once again, that the present invention positively blocks the flow of fluid from the inlet port 71 to the outlet port 75, when the plunger is in its normal or non-quadding position,

rather than merely by-passing the fluid, thus preventing any possibility of the fluid under pressure from reaching the cylinder 29 (or the cylinder 30 in the case of the plunger 62), in which case pressure would be built up against the piston 25, and the vise jaw associated therewith would be caused to creep at an inappropriate time. The conduit connections of the hydraulic system may readily be seen by referring again to FIGS. 1 and 12. It should here be noted that H6. 12, being partly diagrammatic, shows the selector valve 59 as the two separate entities which would result if the valve body 60 were split along a line of symmetry drawn down the center of FIG. 11. Therefore, although there is actually only one inlet port 71 in the selector valve body, two are shown in FIG. 12; similarly, although there is but one. exhaust port 73, and one drainage port 79, two of each are shown in FIG. 12. Note, though, that the two outlet ports 75 and 76 shown in FIG. 12 actually exist as two separate ports. The conduit connections are as follows: a conduit 83 runs from the reservoir 36 to the inlet side of the continuously operated pump 41; the conduit 52 connects the outlet side of the pump 41 to the slide valve unit 39; the jaw closing conduit 51 connects the slide valve unit to the inlet port 71 of the selector valve; the outlet ports 75 and 76 of the selector valve 59 are connected to the inlet ports 29:: and 30a respectively of the cylinders 29 and 30 by the respective conduits 84 and 85; the jaw opening conduit 49 runs from the outlet ports 2% and 30b of the cylinders 29 and 3% to the slide valve unit 39; a conduit 86 connects the drainage ports 29c and 30c to the drainage port 79 of the selector valve; and the exhaust port 73 of the selector valve is connected to the slide valve unit by the exhaust conduit 50. It is the function of the selector valve 59 to control the quadding and centering action of the vise jaws 20 and 21 by establishing certain hydraulic passageways from the slide valve unit 39 to the cylinders 29 and 30. T oward this end, the valve may be operated, either automatically in response to a coded tape or manually through an electrical push button box, by means of the operating mechanism which will be described presently.

While the plungers 61 and 62 remain in their normal positions, fluid from the pump 41 is, as mentioned be fore, positively blocked by the selector valve 59, and hence is prevented from reaching the cylinders 29 and 30. When, however, one of the plungers, say for example, the plunger 61, is moved downwardly against the force of the spring 80,. the section 61b leaves the spacer 63, permitting fluid under pressure to flow from the jaw closing line 51 into the inlet. port 71 in the valve body 60, through the center bore 63a of the spacer 63; thence through the apertures 70 into the. annular area produced by the groove. 63b, and finally from the outlet port 75 through the conduit 84 intothe cylinder 29, wherein it actuates the left-hand vise jaw 20. (The complete quad"- di'ng cyclewill be described: more fully hereinafter.)

Downward movement of the plungers61 and 62, when a line is to be quadded or centered, isv effected by levers 89 and 90 respectively (see FIGS; 1 and 5-40,). Each of the levers is provided with a, roller, the roller of lever 89 being designated 89a and the roller of lever 90 being designated 90a, which rollers at all times rest on the topsurf'a'ce of the respective. plunger operated by the lever with which the roller is associated, i.e., the roller 89a rests on the plunger 61, and the roller 90a rests on the plunger 62; A bracket 91, having two vertical slots for accommodating the ends of the levers 89 and 90, is secured to a supporting plate which in turn is fastened to the machine, frame, the purpose of the bracket being to maintain the vertical alignment of the levers with respect to the plungers to insure that the rollers remain in contact with their respective plungers.

An L-shaped block 92-, disposed between. the levers 89' and 90, is pivotally mounted by means of a pin 93 on the upright finger 94a of a bracket 94 fixed to the supporting plate on the machine frame, which finger fits into a vertical slot 92a in the right-angle corner of the block 92. The block 92 is, in addition, pivotally fastened to the levers 89 and 90 by screws 95 and 96 respectively. The uppermost portion of the block 92 is bifurcated and the end of a reciprocating connecting rod 99 is pivotally mounted between the bifurcations by means of a pin 100. One end of the pin 100 extends through the bifurcation in which it is mounted and has fastened thereon one end of a tension spring 101, the other end of which spring is fastened to a pin 102 projecting from the supporting plate.

The rod 99 is reciprocated once during each machine cycle by means of a unit comprising a U-bolt 107 and a plate 108 (see FIG. 1) mounted on a pivotal shaft 104. The shaft 104 also has mounted thereon a, lever 105, which carries at its free end a follower roller 105a held in contact with the periphery of the first elevator cam 106 mounted on the main cam shaft 42 of the machine. As is well known, the first elevator cam 166 rotates once during each cycle of the machine, and in so doing it serves first to pivot the shaft 104, by means of the lever 105, clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 1 to a position in which the rod 99 and L-shaped block 92 assume the positions shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, i.e., during this first portion of the machine cycle, the L-shaped block 92 is pivoted about the pin 93 from the normal position shown in FIG. 1 to the forward position shown in FIGS/ 5 to 8. As the cam 106 continues to rotate until the machine cycle is completed, the shaft 104 returns to its normal position (FIG. 1). Note that the plate 108 is arranged to slidably engage the connecting rod 99 between two spaced stop nuts 110, thus providing a lost motion connection between the shaft 104 and the rod 99. Such a connection is used since the contour of the first elevator cam 106 (whichcam is, of course, utilized principally to operate the first elevator of the machine and not the quadding mechanism) swings the shaft 104 further in a counterclockwise direction than is desirable. The motion of the shaft 104, therefore, is not used to return the block 92 to its normal position, but rather the spring 101 7 is employed for this purpose, and serves to rotate the block 92 counterclockwise until the levers 89 and 90 abut the two elongated stop pins 111 which extend from the supporting plate of the machine frame over both levers (see FIG. 9).

Mounted on the supporting plate of the machine frame directly above the levers 89 and 90 are three aligned switches 112, 113 and 114 (see FIG. 10) whose function will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 13. Each of the levers has fastened to its upper edge a plate, the plate fastened to lever 89 being designated 89b, and the plate fastened to lever 90 being designated 9%, which plates normally contact the switches when the machine is operating at full line casting with no quadding. The plate 89b contacts only the switch 112 and normally holds it open. The plate 90b contacts the switches 113 and 114 and normally holds switch 114 open and switch 113, which is of the double pole variety, in the position shown in FIG. 14.

Although the connecting rod 99 and hence the block 92 are reciprocated during every cycle of the machine, it is obvious that the plungers 61 and 62 should not be actuated, i.e., moved downwardly, during each cycle since every line cast is not quadded. Normally, therefore, as may be seen clearly in FIG. 5, forward movement of the block 92 about the pin 93 serves merely to pivot the levers 89 and 90 about their respective rollers 89a and 90a; wherefore the plungers are not actuated and, in addition, the switches 112, 113 and 114 remain in their normal positions. Thus during a regular or full line operation of the machine, the hydraulic fluid under pressure is prevented by the valve 59 from reaching the cylinders 29 and 30.

Now, in order to permit the plungers 61 and 62 to be actuated upon forward movement of the block 92, two latches 115 and 116, which are aligned with the levers 89 and 90 respectively, are pivotally mounted on a bracket 119. A tension spring 120 is provided for each of the latches, which spring normally holds its associated latch out of the path of the rearwardmost end 123 of the lever 89 or 90, whichever lever the latch happens to be allocated to, as that end is swung downwardly by the forward movement of the block 92 (see FIG. Two rotary solenoids 121 and 122 are disposed behind the latches 115 and 116 respectively (see FIG. 9) and, when deenergized, permit the springs 120 to maintain the latches in their normal positions shown in FIG. 5. When one of the solenoids is energized, however, it pivots its associated latch forwardly into the path of the rearwardmost end 123 of the lever associated with that latch. Thereafter, as the block 92 is pivoted clockwise by forward movement of the rod 99, the rearwardmost end 123 of the associated lever will contact the latch disposed in its path and be arrested thereby. Further clockwise rotation of the block 92 causes the lever under discussion to pivot clockwise about its end 123 held by the latch, resulting in the downward movement of the roller bearing end of the lever, and in this way the plunger 61 or 62 associated therewith is driven downwardly into quadding position. In effect, then, the function of the latches 115 and 116 is to move the axis of rotation of the levers 89 and 90, i.e., when solenoids 121 and 122 are deenergized, forward rotation of the block 92 serves to pivot the levers about their respective rollers 89a and 90a. However, when one of the solenoids is energized to pivot one of the latches forwardly, forward rotation of the block 92 serves to pivot the lever associated with that latch about its rearwardmost end rather than about its roller.

Toward the end of the machine cycle, the block 92 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction and returns the levers 89 and 90 to their normal positions shown in FIG. 1, thereby leaving the latches free to either be maintained in forward position, if the following line is to be quadded,

or to return to normal position and permit full line casting of the following line.

Specifically, if no quadding or centering is desired, the solenoids 121 and 122 remain deenergized and reciprocation of the block 92 will have no effect (FIG. 5); if it is desired to quad with the left-hand jaw, the solenoid 121 is energized, actuating the latch with the result that forward movement of block 92 will cause lever 09 to drive the plunger 61 downwardly into quadding position (FIG. 6); if it is desired to quad with the right-hand jaw, the solenoid 122 is energized, whereupon the lever 90 will be caused to drive the plunger 62 downwardly (FIG. 7); if it is desired to center the line, both of the solenoids 121 and 122 are energized (FIG. 8). Note that when the lever 89 drives the plunger 61 downwardly, the switch 112 is permitted to close, and when the lever 90 drives the plunger 62 downwardly, the switch 114 is permitted to close, and the double pole switch 113 changes contacts.

The switches 112, 113 and 114 control two solenoids shown in FIG. 2, namely, the centering position solenoid 124 and the justification locking solenoid 125. It may be seen that the armature of the solenoid 124 is aligned with the shaft 34 which carries the centering pinion 33. The centering pinion remains in its upper position, as mentioned before, for regular and quadding operations; however, when a line is to be centered, both plungers 61 and 62 are driven downwardly and the solenoid 124 is energized to slide the shaft 34, and hence the pinion 33, to their lower positions wherein the pinion engages teeth on both racks 31 and 32. On the other hand, it is desirable to lock the justification bar 22 to prevent justification when the line is to be either quadded or centered, therefore, the solenoid 125 is adapted to be energized when either or both of the plungers 61 and 62 are driven downwardly. Upon energization of the solenoid 125, the horizontal bar 126 is shifted leftward into the position shown in FIG. 2 wherein it holds the latch 129, pivotally mounted on the machine frame, in the path of a pin 130 anchored in the justification bar 22, thus preventing the use of the bar. The leftward movement of the bar 126, under the influence of the solenoid 125, brings a second latch 131 into postiion for limiting the upward travel of the rod 132. The rod 132 is pivotally fastened at its upper end to an arm 137 (FIG. 3), which arm is brazed to the end of a sleeve 138 loosely mounted on the piston rod 25a. The outer surface of the sleeve 138 is threaded into a fixed annular collar 144. During regular or justified line operation, the rod 132 rises to rotate the sleeve 138 by means of the arm 137 which causes the rack 31 and hence the left-hand jaw 20 to move a small distance to the right, thus causing the justified line to be clamped tightly between the jaws and insuring a uniform left-hand margin for all slugs. Just before casting, the rod 132 moves downwardly to reduce the pressure of the vise jaws on the composed line to permit the matrices to be aligned, and just after casting the rod 132 moves downwardly again to efiect the wiping action of the jaws. Since, in the case of a quadding or centering operation, these functions of the left-hand jaw are controlled by the high and low pressure relief valves 53 and 55 (as will be described hereinafter) the upward movement of the rod 132 is limited by the latch 131 during quadding and centering operations.

At the beginning of the machine cycle, the slide valve 39a is in the neutral and at rest position shown in FIG. 12, wherein the fluid is pumped through the conduit 52 into the valve chamber 391: and then around the valve head 39g into the passage 56 for return to the reservoir. In this position of the slide valve, therefore, there is no build up of pressure within the hydraulic system. Now assume that the coded tape calls for a line to be quadded left, i.e., quadding with the right-hand jaw 21. By means of the electrical circuits to be described hereinafter, the solenoid 122 will be energized, thus moving the latch 116 to the position shown in FIG. 7, while the latch 115 9 remains in its normal position. Thereafter, when the connecting rod 99 and the block 92 are moved forwardly, in response to rotation of the cam 106, to the position shown in FIG. 7, the lever 90 will pivot about its end 123 seated on the latch 116, and move the plunger 62 downwardly to quadding position.

During the machine cycle, the slide valve control cam 44 (FIG. 1) at first moves the rod 39a to a jaw closing position in which the hydraulic fluid is directed from the line 52 to the jaw closing line 51 and then through the inlet port 71 of the selector valve 59. Since the plunger 61 is in its normal position, the fluid flowing from the port 71 through the passageway 72 into the bore 60a of that plunger will be blocked and not permitted to reach the outlet port 75. On the other hand, inasmuch as the plunger 62 has been moved downwardly by the lever 90, the fluid is permitted to flow from the port 71 through the spacer 63 and the outlet port 76 and finally is directed by the conduit 85 to the inlet port 30a of the cylinder 30. Pressure is thereby built up in the cylinder 30, forcing the piston 26 leftwardly and hence moving the right-hand jaw 21 leftwardly into quadding position. As the piston 26 moves through the cylinder 30, fluid is forced through the outlet port 3011 into the conduit 49 which carries the fluid to the valve chamber 3%, whereupon it flows into the passageway 56 and back into the reservoir 36.

When further movement of the piston 26 is prevented by contact of the vise jaw 21 with the composed line, and the pressure of the system builds up in the chamber 390, the opening of the high pressure relief valve 53 will stabilize the condition and permit the return of the fluid to the reservoir 36. The slide valve rod 39a is then moved to a new position wherein the fluid is permitted to return to the reservoir through the low pressure relief valve 55, thus reducing the pressure of the vise jaws on the composed line in order to permit the matrices to be aligned before casting.

After the line is cast, the cam 44 brings the slide valve to the position wherein, once again, the fluid is permitted to return to the reservoir through the low pressure relief valve 55, in order to achieve the wiping action of the jaws as the line is raised from between them. Thereafter, the slide valve is brought to its jaw opening position wherein the path of the flow of fluid is from the pump outlet line 52 through the port 392 into the pressure chamber 39c and out through the port 39d into the jaw opening line 49 and thence through the port 3% into the cylinder 30, the fluid pressure acting against the piston 26 to return it to its normal rightward position. By this time, the main cam shaft 42 has nearly completed its cycle and the connecting rod 99 and block 92 have returned to the position shown in FIG. 1, hence the plunger 62 has returned to its normal position under the influence of the spring 80. Therefore, the fluid from the opposite side of the piston 26 returns to the reservoir 36 by way of the port 30a, the conduit 85, the port 76 in the selector valve 59, the exhaust port 73 and the exhaust conduit 50. Finally, the cam 44 returns the slide valve to the normal or neutral position shown in FIG. 12, the valve remaining in this position while the machine is at rest and until the inauguration of the next cycle.

If a quad right signal is read on the coded tape, the solenoid 121 will be energized rather than the solenoid 122. Thereafter, as the cycle of the machine begins, the plunger 61 is moved downwardly instead of the plunger 62, thus effecting the quadding motion of the left-hand jaw 20. Otherwise the cycle will be exactly as described above. If a centering signal is read, both solenoids 121 and 122 will be energized and both plungers 61 and 62 will be moved downwardly, thus effecting the inward motion of both vise jaws 20 and 21.

During regular machine operation (with no quadding or centering) it is desirable not to have the pressure in the hydraulic system build up, since this unnecessarily works the pump 41 and other parts of the system. To prevent this, the lever 43 is locked out of operation, thus maintaining the'rod 39a of the slide valve in its normal leftward position. In this position, it will be remembered, the fluid is freely circulated to the reservoir and the pressure does not build up. The means for locking the lever 43 onto-f operation is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. A stop pawl 133 is maintained in the path of operation of the lever 43 by a small tension spring 134. The pawl,

however, is adapted to be tripped during a quadding or centering operation by member 135 actuated by a rotary solenoid 136, the energization of which is controlled by the electrical circuits hereinafter described. When energized, the solenoid 136 rotates member 135, thus pivoting pawl 133 clockwise about pivot 133a to free lever 43 and permit the tension spring 45 to urge the lever and valve rod 39:: rightwardly.

It should here be mentioned briefly that although the means shown for operating the valve plungers '61 and '62 are preferred, it is contemplated that the solenoids 121 and 122 could be placed adjacent the plungers themselves in order to operate the plungers directly, in which case the block 92, the rod 99, the levers 89 and 9t), and the latches 115 and 116, could be eliminated. In practice, however, it has been found more eflicient to use the preferred embodiment shown.

FIG. 13 shows the details of construction of the push button box adapted for actuation by' the machine operator, which box is fully described in US. Patent 2,806,587. Briefly, the box is provided with four push buttons, one each for the quad left, quad right, centering, and regular operations. As a push button is depressed, the tapered surface of its projecting lug 139 causes longitudinal movement of a catch 140, thus tensioning a leaf spring 141. When the button and its lug have been depressed far enough so that the lug 139 clears the catch 140, leaf spring 141 urges the catch to its normal position and blocks the return of the push button to its raised position. When a second push button is depressed, the first push button is reset or restored to its normal position. A solenoid 142 is positioned so that when energized its plunger 143 acts to move catch to tension the spring 141 and thereby reset any operated push button. Several pairs of contacts are associated with each push button so that several electrical circuits may be controlled by each button. 7

FIG. 14 shows the electrical circuits which are employed to control operation of the quadding mechanism. The circuits are shown in straight or across-the-line form in which the contacts of a switch are shown separated from the coil which operates them and arranged in the circuits which they control. Thus it is possible to arrange each coil circuit in a straight line between parallel vertical lines representing the power source.

In the circuit diagram, the following electromagnetic switches will be found:

A-lst quad left memory switch B-lst centering memory switch C-2nd quad left memory switch D2nd centering memory switch Throughout the description which follows, these letters will be applied to the coils of the above designated switches. Also, with reference numerals appended thereto they will be applied to the contacts of these switches, which are shown in deenergized condition.

In addition to the above electromagnetic switches, the following mechanically actuated switches are also located in the across-the-line diagram:

Sll-Tape controlled operating unit bail switch-quad left S2-Tape controlled operating unit bail switch-quad right 'S3'-Tape controlled operating unit bail switch-center S4 l irst memory clearing switch S5-=Second memory transfer switch S6-Tape controlled operating unit elevator switch S7Second memory clearing switch SS-Selector solenoid operating switch There is further included in the circuit diagram the following solenoids, each of which bears a letter designation indicative of the function which it performs, as well as the reference numeral which has been applied heretofore in the above description:

SPR-Push button reset solenoid (142) SQL-Quad left selector solenoid (122) SQR-Quad right selector solenoid (121) SQCQuadding and centering solenoid (136) CPS-Centering pinion solenoid (124) JLS-Justification lockout solenoid (125) The various electric circuits of the present invention can best be disclosed through a description of an operating sequence. Assume first that the apparatus is arranged for automatic operation from the coded tape and that the lines W1, W2 are connected to a suitable source of electric power. It is well known that the tape may be coded to control either a quad left, a quad right, or a centering operation. According to this code and the response of the tape reading or decoding unit, bail switch S1 is operated for a quad left operation, bail switch S2 is operated for a quad right operation, and bail switch S3 is operated for a centering operation.

If the first line of matrices being composed under the control of the tape is to be quadded with the right-hand vise jaw (quad left), then a quad left signal will follow the various matrix release signals and will cause actuation of bailswitch S1. Immediately a circuit is completed for lst quad left memory switch coil A and contacts A1 and A2 engage. Contacts A1 are connected in parallel with bail switch S1 and hence provide a self-holding circuit which permits the bail switch to be restored to its normal non-operated position.

The following tape signal will be the assembling elevator signal and therefore the line of matrices and spacebands will be carried up by the elevator. Upward movement of the elevator causes actuation of a mechanical switch on the machine, which switch is provided with contacts S4 and S5 (see US. Patent 2,806,587). Operation of the switch engages contacts S5 to complete a cricuit for 2nd quad left memory switch coil C, the circuit extending through normally engaged contacts S7, coil C, contact A2, rectifier CRP and contacts S5. The rectifiers CRF and DRF are provided to prevent the establishment of sneak circuits. Energization of coil C causes the engagement of contacts C1, C2, and C3, the first of which completes a self-holding circuit for coil C. As soon as this circuit is established, contacts S4 of the mechanical elevator switch are separated to interrupt the circuit for coil A. When the assembling elevator reaches its upper transfer position, the line of matrices and spacebands is removed therefrom and the elevator is returned to its lower or com posing position. Incident thereto, the mechanical switch is restored to normal condition with contacts S4 engaged and contacts S5 separated. Notice that although the first line has not been cast, a succeeding line of matrices can be composed and a signal entered into the circuits for a quadding or centering operation which differs from that associated with the first line.

Returning to the first line of matrices and spacebands which has been carried to the delivery position and then removed from the assembling elevator, it will be assumed that the line has been immediately delivered to the first elevator and a cycle of machine operations thereby initiated in the usual manner. Two mechanical switches, having contacts S7 and 58 respectively, are actuated in accordance with the movement of the main cam shaft of the machine. The contacts S8 are engaged to complete a circuit for the quad left selector solenoid SQL (122), contacts C2 having previously been engaged. A circuit is also completed for solenoid SQC (136) to release pawl 133 and permit lever 43 to actuate the valve rod 39a. Energization of solenoid SQL (122) actuates the latch 116 as previously disclosed, thereby permitting the lever to drive the plunger 62 downwardly into quadding position. At this time, the switch 114 will be closed and the double throw switch 113 will engage its upper contact (in FIG. 14). Closing of switch 114 serves to energize the solenoid JLS resulting in the justification bar 126 being locked as before described. Actuation of the switch 113 has no effect except when a centering operation is being effected, at which time all three switches 112, 113, and 114 are actuated, causing both the solenoid JLS (125) and the centering pinion solenoid CPS (124) to be energized with the above mentioned result.

Once the quadding mechanism is set in accordance with the desired operation, contacts S7 are separated to interrupt the circuit for coil C. By the time that the first elevator is seated on the vise cap, the two delivery slide cam operated switches are restored to normal nonoperated condition, wherein the contacts S7 are engaged and the contacts S8 are separated. Thus, here again the circuitry is such that another line of matrices and spacebands may be in waiting line position after being removed from the assembling elevator and a quadding or centering signal stored in an associated switch.

Having described the transfer of quad left signals through the circuitry from the operation of the tape cont olled operating unit bail switch to the setting of the quadder apparatus, it is believed that a similar transfer of a quad right or a centering signal will be readily apparent without a detailed description of the circuit operations.

Furthermore, operation of the circuits and the resulting setting of the quadding apparatus from the push button is similarly obvious. However, reference may be had to the aforementioned U.S. Patent 2,806,587 for a description of the operation of the push button reset solenoid SPR (142) which resets any push button which may be in operative position at the time the machine is to be operated automatically from the tape.

Having thus described the invention, it is realized that many apparently different embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the description and drawings hereof are to be .interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a pair of line clamping jaws, at least one of which is movable from a normal full line receiving position to a quadding position and return, and hydraulic pressure mechanism for effecting the quadding movement of the aw, said mechanism comprising a closed liquid circulatmg system which includes a liquid reservoir, a continu ously operated pump for circulating the liquid through the system, and a cylinder and piston device connected to said movable jaw, together with a selector valve forming part of said circulating system, said valve comprising a a valve body containing a valve chamber and having an inlet port for the flow of liquid from the pressur side of the pump to the valve chamber, an outlet port for the flow of liquid from the valve chamber to the jaw closing side of the cylinder and piston device, and an exhaust port for the return of liquid from the valve chamber to the reservoir, and a plunger slidably disposed in the valvebody and movable to two different positions therein, said plunger in a first position shutting off communication between the inlet port and the outlet port while opening communication between the outlet port and the exhaust port, said plunger in a second position opening communication between the inlet port and the outlet port while shutting off communication between the outlet port and the exhaust port, mechanism for moving the valve plunger to one position or the other as required, and

13 means for causing the valve plunger moving mechanism to maintain the plunger in its first position when the machine is at rest or conditioned for a regular operation.

2. A combination according to claim 1, including means for causing the valve plunger moving mechanism to move the plunger from its first position to its second position when the machine is conditioned for a quadding operation.

3. A combination according to claim 1, including means for causing the valve plunger moving mechanism, when the machine is conditioned for a quadding operation, to move the plunger from its first position to its second position and then back to its first position during each casting cycle.

4. A combination according to claim 3, including automatic timing means which control the operation of the valve moving mechanism.

5. A combination according to claim 4, wherein a solenoid controls the movement of the valve plunger under the influence of the timing means.

6. A combination according to claim 3, wherein said valve plunger moving mechanism includes a spring acting to hold the plunger normally but yieldingly in its first position, and a power operated device for moving the plunger momentarily to its second position against the action of the spring.

7. A combination according to claim 6, wherein the power operated device is normally inactive, and including means for rendering it active when the machine is conditioned for a quadding operation.

8. A combination according to claim 3, wherein said valve plunger moving mechanism includes a power operated rocking lever pivoted between its ends, with one end resting upon the upper end of the plunger and its other end free, a pivoted latch arranged adjacent the free end of the lever to cause it to depress the valve plunger, and means for pivoting the latch into and out of the path of movement of the free end of the power operated lever.

9. In a typographical casting machine, the combination of a pair of line clamping jaws, each of which is movable from a normal full line receiving position to a quadding position and return, and hydraulic pressure mechanism for effecting the quadding movement of either one or both of the jaws, said mechanism comprising a closed liquid circulating system which includes a liquid reservoir, a continuously operated pump for circulating the liquid through the system, and two separate cylinder and piston devices, one connected to each of said jaws, together with a selector valve forming part of said circulatingsystem, said valve comprising a valve body containing a valve chamber and having an inlet port for the flow of liquid from the pressure side of the pump to the valve chamber, two outlet ports for the flow of liquid from the valve chamber to the jaw closing sides of the respective cylinder and piston devices, and an exhaust port for the return of liquid from the valve chamher to the reservoir, and two plungers slidably disposed in the valve body and each movable independently to two diflerent positions therein, said plungers in a first position shutting off communication between the inlet port and the two outlet ports while opening communication between the two outlet ports and the exhaust port, said plungers in a second position opening communication between the inlet port and the two outlet ports while shutting off communication between the inlet port and the exhaust port, and mechanism for moving either one or both of the valve plungers to one position or the other as required.

10. A combination according to claim 9, including means for causing the valve moving mechanism to maintain both plungers in their first position when the machine is at rest or conditioned for a regular operation.

11. A combination according to claim 9, including means for causing the valve plunger moving mechanism to move either one or both of the plungers to their second position when the machine is conditioned for a quadding operation with either jaw orfor centering with both jaws.

12. A combination according to claim 9, including means for causing the valve plunger moving mechanism, when the machine is conditioned for a quadding operation with either jaw, to move the corresponding plunger from its first position to its second position and then back to its first position during each casting cycle.

13. A combination according to claim 9, including means for causing the valve plunger moving mechanism, when the machine is conditioned for centering with both jaws, to move both plungers from their first position to their second position and then back to their first position during each casting cycle.

14. A combination according to claim 11, including automatic timing means which control the operation of the valve moving mechanism.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein a pair of solenoids, one for each valve plunger, control the movements of the valve plungers under the influence of the timing means.

16. A combination according to claim 11, wherein said valve plunger moving mechansm includes a pair of power operated rocking levers pivoted between their ends, said levers at one end resting upon the upper ends of the respective valve plungers and free at their opposite end, a pair of pivoted latches arranged adjacent the free ends of the levers to cause them to depress the valve plungers, and means for pivoting either one or both of the latches into and out of the path of movement of the free ends of the power operated levers.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

